Giving Thanks Every Day

In November of 2018, Pat’s Granola participated in its first holiday show on Small Business Saturday. This was followed in 2019 by opening an online store, vending in additional farmers markets, participating in several customer events, being part of a breakfast welcome basket for a charming Delaware AirBNB, selling in three retail locations and a television appearance on New Day Cleveland. We wrapped up 2019 with having Pat’s Granola stocked at Hudson News at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport just before Thanksgiving.

And today, we are launching two new flavors. In addition to our signature Tropical, we now offer Peanut Butter and Ginger Spiced Pat's Granolas. There are many reasons to be thankful as 2020 begins.

My dream of starting a sustainable business focused on producing real food is now a reality and I couldn’t be prouder. This has been anything but an overnight success. It’s the culmination of years of making granola with unwavering attention to every product ingredient...after all, this is food I’ve fed my family so I want the best. Add a steep learning curve into the science of safe food production, classes in entrepreneurship offered through the Women's Business Center of Northeast Ohio, a Scratchmade Incubator course offered by the Small Business Administration, subsisting on very little sleep, anxiety as to “what now” when things go awry, untold patience, and trying to maintain a sense of humor. Fortunately, I've learned that a good belly laugh is often just what I need when I'm overly tired and ask myself "remind me why you decided to do this at an age when many people are thinking about retirement."

At the heart of this business are an extraordinary group of people who kept encouraging me when I was burning the midnight oil, testing recipes, vending at farmers markets, packing orders and making drops offs to the post office. People helping people. Priceless. The village of Pat's Granola fans is mighty fierce!

2020 is already presenting many promising opportunities to grow Pat’s Granola. Excited about the future!